Aggressive chicks

[UBkevy]

my 5 and 2 week old chicks are getting agrressive. they nip at anything that gets near the brooder. I thought is was because they where hungry but they always have food. Could it be because we started to feed them bits of old bread and they have become competative and think when ever a person is near they will get a treat? if so how to i cure this?

 

[Chicken Woman]

Chicks will do that if they are to crowded and bored.
Do you have both ages in brooder together ?

 

[UBkevy]

no the smaller ones are in a large bird cage next to the big ones i have 12 larger birds in a 2.5ft by 6ft brooder. what would be good entertainment

 

[Chicken Woman]

They probably need more room.
You can hang bird toys, give them a perch to jump up on, or some treats like boiled egg,yogurt,etc.

If it's warm you could take the big one otside to peck in the dirt and grass. Mine love to go outside. I keep them in a dog playyard thing on the grass and they love it.

 

[ChickieNikki]

mine got a little rowdy today (they're teensy, just 2 days), so I sprinkled some chick crumbles on the paper towels---kept them distracted for hours. maybe sprinkle some feed in their bedding?

 

[LilbitChicken]

I was worried about that happening, friends have had the same issue.. they are just bored.... anything to perch on or peck at will help!

 

[Shay1327]

My five weekers will usually nip at me when I'm reaching in the brooder because they are trying to be the first ones to get the treats (even when I haven't brought any treats, lol). Once they realize I don't have anything good they usually sulk off.